Fireworks display brings cracking HOMEFEST to an end

The skies above Glenarm Castle were a burst of colour on Saturday night as this year’s Dalriada Festival – which was broadcast online for the first time ever – was brought to a rousing close with a spectacular fireworks display.

Several thousand people logged in to HOMEFEST ‘Camp Dalfest At Home’ - which featured top music acts including Nadine Coyle, Alexandra Burke and Nathan Carter and was hosted by the ITV presenter Stephen Mulhern – and transformed their gardens into chic glamping locations for the day.

Younger festival fans were treated to a singalong with CBeebies favourite Justin Fletcher aka Mr Tumble, while other big names on the billing included Pat Sharp, DeaMatrona, Willie Drennan and String Ninjas.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Cllr Peter Johnston, praised all those involved in organising this year’s event.

“A huge well done to everyone behind HOMEFEST ‘Camp Dalfest At Home’, for pulling out all the stops and ensuring all those who tuned in were treated to a wonderful weekend of music and entertainment!

“The ongoing pandemic meant that we were not able to put on Dalriada Festival as it would normally be, but credit must go to the organisers for bringing the biggest names in music to thousands of homes and creating bespoke ‘glamping at home’ packages featuring delicious local food and drink.

“This was the ideal way to showcase the stunning Glenarm Castle and the wider Causeway Coastal Route, to almost 30,000 people, and the weather was very kind to us throughout the day. I hope the huge success of this event will encourage more people to safely #RediscoverMEA and the many wonderful beauty spots on our doorstep while supporting our local tourism and hospitality businesses over the coming weeks and months.”

Nigel Campbell, Festival Director, added: “We were absolutely delighted with the success of our first digital festival, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

“Despite a hugely challenging few months for everyone, we were keen to put on a stellar line-up that our audiences could enjoy from the comfort of their homes and gardens – and the feedback we have received over the weekend has been incredible.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Council, all our sponsors, supporters and everyone who has supported us over the years. We are still here and are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the festival site in the future.”